House Dems back resolution critical of buildup

Posted: Friday, January 19, 2007

WASHINGTON - Speaker Nancy Pelosi pledged the support of House Democrats Thursday for legislation declaring that President Bush's decision to send additional troops to Iraq is "not in the national interest of the United States."

Pelosi's commitment came as Senate Democrats said they intend to begin advancing a nonbinding measure next week that criticizes the White House's new strategy.

Democrats sought to bring public pressure to bear on the president's new policy as Bush and senior administration officials worked to limit Republican defections.

Senate Democrats, backed by two Republicans, unveiled legislation Wednesday that criticized Bush's decision to increase troop levels by 21,500. "It is not in the national interest of the United States to deepen its military involvement in Iraq, particularly by escalating the United States military force presence in Iraq," the nonbinding Senate measure states.